Moving Western songs recommended for junior high school students: world classics and popular hits

We are the WorldUSA For Africa

USA For Africa – We Are The World (HQ official Video)

Centered around Michael Jackson, this is a charity group’s song for famine relief in Africa.

It’s a wonderful track that lets you enjoy many iconic Western pop vocals all at once.

Please give it a listen as a first step into Western music.

I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You – Lyrics

This was a song used in The Bodyguard, and I remember watching it when I was in middle school.

It was so heartbreaking, and the song fit the movie perfectly—it moved me so much.

Even now, I’m brought to tears when I think about it.

I also remember it being played at a relative’s wedding.

Walk This WayAerosmith

Aerosmith – Walk This Way (Live From The Office Depot Center, Sunrise, FL, April 3, 2004)

Aerosmith is a world-famous American rock band that has performed in Japan many times.

“Walk This Way” is a single released in 1975, and in Japan it has been used as a song in a SoftBank commercial.

thank u, nextAriana Grande

Ariana Grande – thank u, next (Official Video)

The 2019 song “thank u, next” by American singer Ariana Grande.

It already has quite a mature vibe, but I think it really resonates with middle schoolers too.

The catchy chorus makes the English easy to catch and the meaning easy to grasp.

It expresses a strong determination to move forward even after heartbreak.

Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, just having this track in your player makes you look a bit cooler—it’s that kind of cool song.

It’s my lifeBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – It’s My Life (Official Music Video)

Bon Jovi, the monster band that achieved worldwide success in the 1980s and is also known for its strong bond with Japanese fans.

While their signature songs are largely the massive hits released in the ’80s, the track that became a new anthem for them was It’s My Life, released in 2000.

Considering they only released two albums in the 1990s, this song could hardly be more fitting as a masterpiece to usher in a new phase of their career from the 2000s onward.

Built on tight rhythms and hard-edged guitar riffs, the instantly memorable melody line is nothing short of remarkable.

Its empowering lyrics make it a great cheer song even for junior high school students studying for entrance exams.

Just The Way You AreBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are (Official Music Video)

As one of the best-selling singer-songwriters and a global superstar, Bruno Mars released this memorable debut single in 2010.

It became popular across generations, partly because EXILE’s ATSUSHI covered it in Japanese in 2018.

Its simple yet moving arrangement, outstanding melody, and vocals strike a perfectly balanced pop masterpiece.

The straightforward lyrics that lavish praise on a woman are very easy to understand—clear enough for middle schoolers.

Listen to this track and you just might learn the secrets of being a charming guy!

Tears In HeavenEric Clapton

Eric Clapton – Tears In Heaven (Official Video)

It’s a mellow, famously iconic song—so much so that you can’t talk about Eric Clapton without mentioning it.

Since it’s slow, it’s easy to sing and simple enough for middle schoolers to learn.

The song itself has somewhat bittersweet lyrics, and I really grew to love it.